Courtney Stoddart is an acclaimed Scottish-Caribbean poet and performer, born and raised in Edinburgh. Her work focuses on racism, imperialism, womanhood and growing up in Scotland. She writes with the intention to challenge the dominant power structures of our times and intertwines social, political, and historical discussion into rhythm and rhyme.

Having only started performing in April 2019, Courtney has had a meteoric rise, performing on both national and international stages within the last year. Including performances at venues such as the Traverse Theatre, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Leith Theatre and HOME Manchester.

In June 2019, Courtney took part in the BBC Radio 1xtra and BBC Contains Strong Language Festival Word’s First Talent Scheme, making it to the final 12. She was selected to be published in an anthology by Own It! London and edited by Jude Yawson, co-writer of Stormzy’s Rise Up: The Story So Far.

Courtney has featured in various theatrical productions, including Lament For Sheku Bayoh at the Lyceum Theatre during Edinburgh International Festival 2019 and Memory is a Weapon, directed by Firdoze Bulbulia. She was chosen to represent Scotland at Flup Festival in Rio de Janeiro in the October of 2019.

Courtney currently runs a mentorship programme with Scottish BAME writers network. She has appeared on a panel at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland’s Afternoon show with Jess Brough.